I'm thinking back on the opportunities I've lost over the years. This time without a sense of embarrassment and shame, and more with an analytical gaze. Two sides.

On the one hand failure to take the chance when the chance is presented. This is something which only I can do, and does not warrant any further discussion beyond "DUDE, just fuckin do it already!" But, there is still in the back of my mind the context. "She has a boyfriend" "This is not the time or the place" "People are watching" "You're not supposed to do that in public". This needs to be addressed at some point

On the other side the chance is lost because of context or cowardice. The initial spark has died, and there's nothing left to sustain it that I know of. This happens too often. I start off good, get responsiveness and the kind of eye contact that makes you forget everything else. The iron is hot and we've just started and I move along and think "oh, fuck where do i go next?"

Specific example. Walking along, I look around and see a pretty girl on the street right behind me. I say hi, she says hi back, I say some random opener and it feels like she's very interested, she responds positively. Then a pause, and I use another line from god knows where and i see her lose interest. We go in different directions at the corner. This kind of end is very common. There just isn't enough attraction generated and so I end up with nothing. In general I've got good body language and conversational pacing, I don't mind long pauses at all. I still speak too quietly, and sometimes too quickly, so that needs work, but I've got a confident vibe overall.

My goal is to have her chasing me. I want her asking for my phone number and being totally curious and interested in who I am. So I don't ask for anything, I'm just trying to create good attraction right now. Any advice?